Malawi boxing association banned by world boxing body

Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) has been banned by Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) from holding any boxing acitivity for flouting the world amateur boxing body’s statutes on elections.

AIBA made the decision following an executive meeting held on July 15 this year.

According to the statement made available to Nyasa Times, the suspension which is with immediate effect would not lifted until the issue is resolved.

Sakala: Maba president could not immediately comment

“In accordance with Article 14.2 and 17.1 of the AIBA Statutes, the AIBA Executive Committee on July 15 decided to provisionally suspend the Malawi Boxing Association due to serious breaches of the AIBA Statutes and bylaws in terms of general assembly/elections,” reads the statement.

With the suspension Malawi will pay heavily to the world governing body by among others losing its membership and boxers banned and coaches banned from taking part in any boxing activity.

“The provisional suspension takes effect immediately. During the period of the provisional suspension all of the Malawi Boxing Association membership rights will be suspended,” reads the statement.

“For the avoidance of doubt no officials, boxers or coaches shall be entitled to participate in any boxing competition at any level.”

The world amateur boxing appealed to Maba to address the concern for it to lift the suspension.

“This provisional suspension will be running as long as new elections are not organised to AIBA’s entire satisfaction and as per AIBA Statutes and Bylaws.”

The suspension comes in the wake of controversial elections in which lawyer and former Maba General Secretary Arthur Nanthuru lost to former Vice-President Henry Sakala on the position of President.

The elections were a shame in which Malawi National Council of Sports also cautioned some of the officials for flouting electoral process to ensure their victory.

Boxing judge Machichi Nyirenda was elected General Secretary with Elson Mankhomwa winning the Vice-General post while Eric Masenda was elected Vice-President.